CHILTERN 100 - Sunday 5th June 2011 

Last Sunday four North Road riders, Lawrence Brenchley, John Rumbold, Dave Kiely (sporting a new haircut) and Lee Pegram joined 1400 others to take part in the Chiltern 100 Cyclosportive starting at Amersham Rugby Club. All had entered the Gran Fondo course taking in Chesham, Berkhampstead, Dunstable, Tring, Princess Risborough and Watlington before returning back to Amersham. This route included 21 hills of up to 21% gradient. 

The weather at the start was overcast but dry, rather windy and rain forecast for later - the usual 'shall I, shall I not' discussion commenced regarding rain jackets and by around 8am the four set off for a Chiltern adventure... 

The usual brisk pace commenced with lots of talk about how the event was going to be used for Marmotte training with no time/group chasing!  Indeed, the group stayed together over the initial undulations until Bison Hill where the differing hill climbing capabilities were exposed.  However, Dave was doing a great leaders role and keeping all together as much as possible at this early stage. 

A few hills later and John's strength was showing as he moved ahead with another rider named Adam - who had apparently spent last weekend with other North Roaders on the Tour of Wessex.  Lawrence started to slip a little and Dave was dragging Lee along to work with a couple of VC10 riders for a fiery section. 

All re-gathered at the first well stocked feed station at Kingston Wood at 38 miles (maybe a little too impressive as time slipped) before eventually the group set off again. 

Then at around 59 miles on Whiteleaf Hill, 'Mavic' the God of Spokes passed judgement on John's strong riding and deemed him out with a rear spoke break/buckle. At this point Dave was out ahead, so Lee was next along and after further diagnosis the call for collection was made and unfortunately John had to withdraw. Unaware of the wait that lay ahead for collection...or the steep even to walk climb to the agreed collection point. 

Approximately 10 miles later 'Shimano' the God of Front Mechs further decided that Lawrence would be better served by restricting usage to only his large ring! Lawrence had a different view on this so adjusted his route accordingly back to HQ where he went for massage, tea and an eventual meeting with John. 

This left Dave, Adam and Lee to push through to the second feed station at Wiggington where normal food was so welcoming.  Rolls consumed and once again a little too much time taken and they were off for the final punishing leg.  From here a theme developed where Dave would break ahead on each climb, then kindly wait for Adam and Lee at the top interspersed with all working together on the flatter sections.  Rain had also started to look more likely. 

Some way along the final section, on a reasonably fast decent there was a great 'whoosh' as a magnificent Condor passed.  Now I know what you are thinking but alas no, this wasn't the Ralpha kind but more like the 'Red Kite' bird of prey, which came within about 2m of selecting Lee for lunch - it was big! 

With this final excitement over a push to the end commenced.  Quite rightly Dave did not wait after the last climb so Lee set to work in emptying his tank to catch-up.  Finally after 110 miles and 2400m+ of ascent, Dave finished in an overall time of 6:58:28 and just inside Silver category and before a downpour commenced.  Lee finished in 6:58:30 and just outside Silver (for his age group) albeit the gap really should have been greater. 

Adam finished very shortly after Lee and was encouraged to come along to a NRCC club ride as soon as he could. 

This was a well organised event promoted by Verulam CC and Amersham RCC on familiar tough roads and congratulations to them. 

And in case you are wondering, Dave took his rain jacket and Lee did not!